ABOUT LIKE REALLY CREATIVE
Thriving creatives can heal the world.
Like Really Creative builds things creatives can use to stay charged: a free public directory of Memphis artists, a microgrant program our members vote on, recurring events that put creatives in the same room, and resources that make the work feel possible again.
The five things every program answers
Every program is designed around the same five things creatives need: to connect with likeminded community, to get paid for their craft, to be fully seen, to fear less, and to have fun.
Connect
with likeminded community
Get paid
for their craft
Be seen
fully and accurately
Fear less
about making the work
Have fun
doing it
Here’s what we’ve built so far.
Many outlets, one job: keep Memphis creatives charged.
Memphis Creative Index
A searchable directory of Memphis creatives, open to anyone, free forever. Get found by the people looking to hire, book, commission, and collaborate.
Microboost
A community-decided microgrant for a collaboration between two Memphis artists working in different disciplines. Short application, plain language, built to be somebody's first yes.
LRC Membership
Members keep the lights on. The events, the Index, the programming, all of it. Starts at $5 and comes with perks to keep you connected and charged up.
Signature Events
Collage Party, MUSE, and CHARGED UP run every month across Memphis. Seventy percent of them are free. Show up alone and leave knowing people.
Who this is for
Every Memphis creative, at every stage, in every discipline.
You do not need a degree, a gallery, a following, or a full-time creative career to be part of this.
- Getting listed in the Index
- Free
- Applying for Microboost
- Free
- Coming to an event
- Usually free
- Membership
- Optional
The Index grows every week. These numbers were last updated July 31, 2026.
What the work is built on
The Four Codes of Creative Energy.
A creative person's energy depends on four things. Most support for artists addresses one of these and ignores the rest. Every LRC program is designed to charge at least one of them.
Community
The people around the work.
Craft
The practice itself.
Clarity
Knowing what you are making and why.
Condition
The state of the body and mind doing the making.
Who runs it
Founded in Memphis by Zack Orsborn.
Like Really Creative was founded in Memphis in January 2025 by Zack Orsborn, a writer, visual artist, and creativity coach.
It operates alongside partners across the city and is supported by local sponsors who believe Memphis creatives are worth investing in. Zack's coaching practice and personal work live separately at zackorsbornwork.com.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The organizations that see the vision and help get us there.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
•
Dixon Gallery & Gardens
•
Orpheum Theatre Group
•
The Ugly Art Co.
•
Urban Art Commission
•
Bar DKDC
•
AAPI Heritage Month Memphis
•
Memphis Zine Fest
•
Monster Market
•
Memphis Public Library
•
OUTMemphis
•
Focus Magazine
•
Music Export Memphis
•
AAF Memphis
•
UNAPOLOGETIC.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art • Dixon Gallery & Gardens • Orpheum Theatre Group • The Ugly Art Co. • Urban Art Commission • Bar DKDC • AAPI Heritage Month Memphis • Memphis Zine Fest • Monster Market • Memphis Public Library • OUTMemphis • Focus Magazine • Music Export Memphis • AAF Memphis • UNAPOLOGETIC.
Ways to plug in.
Free, takes about five minutes.
From $5 a month, boost your creativity.
See what’s coming up.
Signature Event Series
Eight different event series to keep you creative and connected.
Collage Party
Make a collage and make a friend every month. Curated tunes, pop-ups, and surprises every fourth Wednesday at the Ugly Art Co.
MUSE Creative Gatherings
Expand your horizons and build creative confidence with monthly workshops, craft making, and more. Every second Tuesday at Bar DKDC.
Junk Journal Jam
It’s like the Collage Party, but with journals and live DJ sets. Hosted at the Brooks Museum on seasonal scheduling.
CHARGED UP Creative Wellness Gatherings
Invigorating and collaborative making designed to charge up creative energy. In partnership with the Memphis Public Library, every other month at a different branch.
Dance Party Popup
An underground dance party revolving around the hottest new pop albums, hosted at Curio Commons with surprise announcement dates.
Community Builders Anonymous
Come together to commiserate and celebrate the joys and struggles of building community, hosted at Shapeshifter Art School + Gallery every quarter.
Artist Walking Group
Get off your screens and walk in nature with likeminded creatives, led by a guest artist. Every quarter at Overton Park.
Champs Creative Game League
A monthly creativity game league in Memphis. A different game every month. No skill required. Being bad at it is part of the fun.
PRESS AND PARTNERSHIPS
Working on a story about Memphis creatives? Running an organization that wants to reach or support them? Interested in sponsoring a program?
Helping creatives stay connected to their creative energy, because thriving, fulfilled creatives can heal the world.
